Avalanche forward Matt Duchene rips Frolunda teammates

Avalanche forward Matt Duchene, playing for Frolunda in Sweden, slammed his teammates after a loss saying, 'if this was in the NHL, five players would be sent down to the minors.' (BEN NELMS/Reuters file photo)

Latest News

QMI Agency

Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene hasn't muzzled himself during his time with Frolunda in Sweden.

After ripping the officiating in the top Swedish league earlier this season, Duchene turned his sights on his teammates after a loss to Modo earlier this week.

"If this was in the NHL, five players would be sent down to the minors after a game like this," Duchene in a report by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, which in turn was translated by the Denver Post. "But here, players are too comfortable. There are 33-million Canadians that would sacrifice an arm to play hockey at this level.

"You have to work your ass off every day. You have to empty the tank. This is not a 'social hour.' You can't just put your skates on and skate around. Everyone could have a bad game, but when you don't prepare yourself for a game, when you don't give it your very best."

Frolunda coach Kent Johansson told Swedish media that Duchene should have looked in the mirror before launching his verbal barrage.

"The biggest problem is that not everyone is contributing," he said, according to the Post. "Duchene didn't do that either. You have to do your own job well before you criticize others. On the other hand, it's good that we show that we don't accept this performance."